Attached DocumentsWhat is Tourism Accreditation?
The National Tourism Accreditation Program is an important initiative of the Tourism Industry Council Tasmania. The
program is designed to raise the professionalism of the industry through the implementation of business management practices and standards. The Tourism Accreditation Program is a business development tool that is based on Quality Assurance Principles and is aligned to the Australian and International Standards for Quality Management Systems - ISO 9002.
The program addresses many of the issues that are addressed in the development of a Business Plan but focuses on those key elements that are part of the day to day function of any tourism business operations.
It aims to assist every tourism business to improve the way it operates, in turn providing consumers and the industry with an assurance that a tourism operator is committed to quality assurance and customer service.
There is no other industry in Australia as diverse as the tourism industry. Its sectors embrace transportation (including air, rail, coach, water), accommodation from B&Bs, backpackers, hotel chains etc. plus attractions and events too numerous to mention.
Tourism accreditation is industry driven to ensure the ongoing sustainability and best practices of tourism operators in Tasmania.
The Tourism Accreditation Program is open to all new and existing businesses that are involved in a tourism activity and there are over 1000 Tourism Accredited businesses in Tasmania.
The Australian Tourism Accreditation Program - From 1 January 2010, TICT will officially join ATAP (Australian Tourism Accreditation Program). The Australian Tourism Accreditation Program (ATAP) is a nationwide project, which aims to give tourism operators across Australia the ability to apply for 'Australian Tourism Accreditation' online. It has been developed by aligning the six state and territory based tourism accreditation programs - Victoria, Western Australia, South Australia, Northern Territory and the ACT. ATAP will become a participating program under the National Tourism Accreditation Framework. An information kit is attached that explains in brief the ATAP standard and the process to achieve accreditation online.
What does this mean for tourism accredited and registered businesses in Tasmania?
From 1 February, businesses registering for tourism accreditation with TICT will be given a login name and password to access the ATAP program online. The requirements are essentially the same as the existing paper-based program, with the added benefit of extensive resources available within the program, and the ability to save all your documentation online.
If you have already registered or gained accreditation prior to 1 February 2010, there will be no requirement to move to the online program at this time. However, we are sure that many of you will want to take up the benefits of this exciting innovation, so please speak to your Regional Accreditation Consultant or contact the TICT office if you would like to make the changeover to completing your accreditation online.
For further information on ATAP, please visit www.atap.net.au
